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loss deter them from a wonderful path,’” she explained. “So even though it sucks to cut the grass and shovel the snow, I can do it. But I can also seek help from other strong women, because seeing all the people out there doing their part, too, has been so humbling and inspiring.”
Her goal as Gold Star Families chair is to make sure everybody has something to grab on to. Whether it’s seeing your children grow into wonderful people or seeing other people who have gone through it and conquered it, the mission now is to make sure the family members all have something to look forward to and, as she submitted, “feel like life is not going to suck for the next 20 years.”
Truth be told, the foundation of the Gold Star Families is an amazing group of women. The tragedy of loss led Maria to be- come close friends with Crystal Jimenez, who lost her husband, Samuel, when he responded to a shooting at Mercy Hospital on Nov. 19, 2018.
Having Crystal as a best friend – and perhaps de facto Gold Star Families vice chair – illustrates how the women left behind keep each other moving forward.
“The best friend I never thought I needed,” Maria revealed. “It’s just kind of finding that in each other. You don’t realize how much support you have until after everything is said and done. And then on top of it, to see the other police officers around us is humbling.”
Now, Maria looks forward to connecting with other Gold Star Families to reassure them that they are being taken care of. And, with the help of the CPMF, to see the reasons to keep moving forward and be grateful.
Through Gold Star Families, Maria Marmolejo (left) has become best friends with Crystal Jimenez, whose husband, Samuel, was lost in the line of duty on Nov. 19, 2018.
She said she might not be able to connect with every single family. But she reminds that Lalo always went in at 100 on a scale of 100. And he always went in with a smile, so as Gold Star Families chair, she will definitely channel her husband.
“I’m going into this position and do what I can do with love and kindness in my heart,” she assured. “This was a loss that I never thought I would experience, but I do know now, from seeing other people who have been through it living their lives, that I’m going to be fine. I lost my husband. I lost my life but I am still here, and I am still moving forward.”
Lifelong Chicagoan representing those who serve and protect since 2008.
JONATHAN SCHATZ, JD/LLM
Law Office of Jonathan N. Schatz
33 North Dearborn, Suite 1930 • Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 343-2800 SCHATZFAMILYLAW@GMAIL.COM
Divorce • Parenting Issues • Pension Division • Child Support MATRIMONIAL & FAMILY LAWYER
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